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Black Shuck: 1577: A Tale of Strange & Wonder: Book One
In 1577 England, Abraham Fleming, a disgraced Cambridge scholar, travels to the fog-shrouded village of Bungay to prove the existence of a mythological beast known as the Black Shuck. He collides with Edward Tanner, a cynical spy for the Crown, and Samuel, a haunted member of a secret order, who are investigating the same string of brutal, seemingly supernatural killings. As they uncover a conspiracy involving a fanatical cult, they are forced to confront not only the monstrous hound but the shared trauma that binds them to it, culminating in a desperate bargain that unleashes an even older, more dangerous power upon the world.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2026
6 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
P. M. Morgan
1 book6 followersP. M. Morgan is a writer from Hull, East Yorkshire, whose work is inspired by folklore, myth, and the retelling of legendary figures. He is particularly drawn to the way old stories change when they are taken seriously and placed back into their historical settings.
An avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, Morgan writes dark historical fiction that explores the uneasy boundary between recorded history and folklore. His debut novel, Black Shuck: 1577, was inspired by the real-life writings of the Elizabethan scholar Abraham Fleming and the enduring Black Shuck legend of Bungay.
When not writing or reading, he spends his time with his two daughters.
An avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, Morgan writes dark historical fiction that explores the uneasy boundary between recorded history and folklore. His debut novel, Black Shuck: 1577, was inspired by the real-life writings of the Elizabethan scholar Abraham Fleming and the enduring Black Shuck legend of Bungay.
When not writing or reading, he spends his time with his two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 23, 2026
This exposure review gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me. I throughly enjoyed it. It falls under Historical Fantasy / Science Fiction Alternative History / Alternative History. Im not huge on Historical but these last few books have been awesome under Historical Fiction!
Black Shuck 1577 by @pmmorgan_author falls under the genre of Historical Fantasy. Set in the year 1577 England, when rumours of a monstrous black hound begin to spread through rural Suffolk, Edward Tanner — a government agent investigating heresy — is drawn into a village ruled by fear, secrecy, and buried belief!!
I loved the way Morgan descripted things just one example, "the wooden walls of his quarters groaned as they always did in summer heat, dry and skeletal." & "Wax slid down the iron sconces, pooling like blood on the flagstones." The last line gave me such vivid imagery & chills!
I was hooked into this book and honestly, forgot to make notes as I was going along!! I was absorbed into it from about page 10! The mystery of it all was awesome, the twists & turns & Morgans writing was 🫶👌 throughout. From page 10 I was like. Is it him? Is he cursed? Is he the Black dog? Or is it connected to him in some way. I had soooo many unanswered questions and theories 👀☠️🤣
#blackshuck #pmmorgan #historicalfantasy #scifi #exposure
Black Shuck 1577 by @pmmorgan_author falls under the genre of Historical Fantasy. Set in the year 1577 England, when rumours of a monstrous black hound begin to spread through rural Suffolk, Edward Tanner — a government agent investigating heresy — is drawn into a village ruled by fear, secrecy, and buried belief!!
I loved the way Morgan descripted things just one example, "the wooden walls of his quarters groaned as they always did in summer heat, dry and skeletal." & "Wax slid down the iron sconces, pooling like blood on the flagstones." The last line gave me such vivid imagery & chills!
I was hooked into this book and honestly, forgot to make notes as I was going along!! I was absorbed into it from about page 10! The mystery of it all was awesome, the twists & turns & Morgans writing was 🫶👌 throughout. From page 10 I was like. Is it him? Is he cursed? Is he the Black dog? Or is it connected to him in some way. I had soooo many unanswered questions and theories 👀☠️🤣
#blackshuck #pmmorgan #historicalfantasy #scifi #exposure
March 4, 2026
A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.
When Abraham receives a letter from Reverend Acaster, he leaves Cambridge University in the dead of night. He's on the trail of the Black Shuck.
Set in England in 1577.
I went into this knowing nothing about it and had never heard of black shuck.
It was a gripping and engaging story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two tiny gripes - repetition and small punctuation errors but, apart from those, it was a really great read.
When Abraham receives a letter from Reverend Acaster, he leaves Cambridge University in the dead of night. He's on the trail of the Black Shuck.
Set in England in 1577.
I went into this knowing nothing about it and had never heard of black shuck.
It was a gripping and engaging story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Two tiny gripes - repetition and small punctuation errors but, apart from those, it was a really great read.
February 21, 2026
I was lucky enough to have an advance copy of PM Morgan’s first book, Black Shuck 1577, and it was a great debut.
PM Morgan masterfully blends history, atmosphere, and suspense, creating a story that feels both authentic and thrilling.
The very real settings and interesting characters pull you in from the first few chapters and the pacing keeps you hooked throughout. A gripping, imaginative retelling of a classic legend (one which i wasn't familiar with before the book). Highly recommended.
PM Morgan masterfully blends history, atmosphere, and suspense, creating a story that feels both authentic and thrilling.
The very real settings and interesting characters pull you in from the first few chapters and the pacing keeps you hooked throughout. A gripping, imaginative retelling of a classic legend (one which i wasn't familiar with before the book). Highly recommended.
February 6, 2026
Historical fiction meets gothic horror in this well-crafted tale of the Blackshuck.
Firstly, thank you to P M Morgan for providing an ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Blackshuck 1577 for the way Morgan blends well‑researched history with a thick, unsettling sense of mystery. The atmosphere carries the same oppressive, gothic tension you’d associate with Bloodborne—storm‑laden skies, ancient churches, and the sense that something old and watchful is moving just beyond the lantern light. That balance between scholarship and dread gives the story a weight that lingers.
Its grounding in genuine East Anglian folklore strengthens that effect. Morgan draws directly from the legend of the Black Shuck and threads in the real lives of Elizabethan scholar Abraham Flemming ( A Straunge and Terrible Wunder) and his brother Samuel, using their historical presence to anchor the supernatural elements. The line between recorded fact and whispered myth blurs in a way that feels both authentic and eerie.
The characters are another highlight. They’re well developed, likeable, and easy to invest in. Edward Tanner quickly became my favourite—a bold, adventurous figure with shades of Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, bringing a spirited contrast to the creeping horror around him, while Briony adds an element of earthly white witchcraft.
Overall, it’s an atmospheric, intelligently crafted piece of historical horror that respects the folklore while giving it fresh life. It left me thinking about the line between recorded history and the stories we tell to explain what haunts us.
Firstly, thank you to P M Morgan for providing an ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Blackshuck 1577 for the way Morgan blends well‑researched history with a thick, unsettling sense of mystery. The atmosphere carries the same oppressive, gothic tension you’d associate with Bloodborne—storm‑laden skies, ancient churches, and the sense that something old and watchful is moving just beyond the lantern light. That balance between scholarship and dread gives the story a weight that lingers.
Its grounding in genuine East Anglian folklore strengthens that effect. Morgan draws directly from the legend of the Black Shuck and threads in the real lives of Elizabethan scholar Abraham Flemming ( A Straunge and Terrible Wunder) and his brother Samuel, using their historical presence to anchor the supernatural elements. The line between recorded fact and whispered myth blurs in a way that feels both authentic and eerie.
The characters are another highlight. They’re well developed, likeable, and easy to invest in. Edward Tanner quickly became my favourite—a bold, adventurous figure with shades of Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, bringing a spirited contrast to the creeping horror around him, while Briony adds an element of earthly white witchcraft.
Overall, it’s an atmospheric, intelligently crafted piece of historical horror that respects the folklore while giving it fresh life. It left me thinking about the line between recorded history and the stories we tell to explain what haunts us.
March 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5
I should start by saying that I am quite a picky reader, particularly when it comes to dark fantasy.
This book is my first historical fiction experience, and I am glad that it was mixed with dark fantasy elements because that is what I enjoy. I tend to prefer the darkest kind of fantasy, as I feel it carries the highest stakes. In some ways, it gave me The Shadowhunter Chronicles vibes, but without a defined magic system, which I found quite interesting.
On paper, this had everything that I would absolutely devour. However, the elements discussed bellow meant that, while I liked the read, it did not resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
I really liked the imagery present in this book. Everything was described so well that you could almost hear what was going on while reading. It is beautifully dark and gothic.
Anybody who knows me, or knows how I read, will know that I like to research things and pick up on details, and there were plenty of opportunities to do that here. It was a strong blend of folklore and storytelling. However, I do wish that at times things were not as obvious. I like to work for the plot, piecing things together like a puzzle rather than being given every twist or reveal. I personally find that far more enjoyable.
Moving on to the strengths of the characters, Edward is hands down my favourite. He is witty, dry, compassionate, and lethal. A close second would be Briony and Samuel. I liked them both, and they contributed some great moments to the story, Briony especially.
Then we come to Abraham. I found him frustrating as a character. While some of his behaviour works in the first half of the book and adds to the plot, it becomes harder to justify later on, particularly with his refusal to own up to his behaviour.
On that note, while the characters do have complex emotions and go through significant events, I did not find them as nuanced as I would have liked. By early on, we already see that they are not what they seem and understand the different sides to their personalities, but this does not develop much further throughout the book. I would have accepted this more if they had gone through deeper emotional exploration. It felt like too much focus was placed on one character, while others were not explored as fully as they could have been, despite there being clear potential.
This is especially noticeable in how certain major moments are handled. I expected a stronger focus on the emotional impact, particularly from the characters closest to those involved. Instead, the story moves on quite quickly. While I understand that the world itself does not seem to allow much time to process things, the characters who are less shaped by that environment would likely respond differently, and exploring that contrast would have added more emotional depth.
The latter chapters were also very fast paced, borderline too fast. The final portion of the book feels important for the rest of the trilogy, but because of the short chapters, some of that impact is slightly reduced. Therefore taking away some of the emotion.
Overall, I would still recommend this book, but there were a few points of personal preference that impacted my enjoyment slightly. Then again, I am quite picky.
I should start by saying that I am quite a picky reader, particularly when it comes to dark fantasy.
This book is my first historical fiction experience, and I am glad that it was mixed with dark fantasy elements because that is what I enjoy. I tend to prefer the darkest kind of fantasy, as I feel it carries the highest stakes. In some ways, it gave me The Shadowhunter Chronicles vibes, but without a defined magic system, which I found quite interesting.
On paper, this had everything that I would absolutely devour. However, the elements discussed bellow meant that, while I liked the read, it did not resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
I really liked the imagery present in this book. Everything was described so well that you could almost hear what was going on while reading. It is beautifully dark and gothic.
Anybody who knows me, or knows how I read, will know that I like to research things and pick up on details, and there were plenty of opportunities to do that here. It was a strong blend of folklore and storytelling. However, I do wish that at times things were not as obvious. I like to work for the plot, piecing things together like a puzzle rather than being given every twist or reveal. I personally find that far more enjoyable.
Moving on to the strengths of the characters, Edward is hands down my favourite. He is witty, dry, compassionate, and lethal. A close second would be Briony and Samuel. I liked them both, and they contributed some great moments to the story, Briony especially.
Then we come to Abraham. I found him frustrating as a character. While some of his behaviour works in the first half of the book and adds to the plot, it becomes harder to justify later on, particularly with his refusal to own up to his behaviour.
On that note, while the characters do have complex emotions and go through significant events, I did not find them as nuanced as I would have liked. By early on, we already see that they are not what they seem and understand the different sides to their personalities, but this does not develop much further throughout the book. I would have accepted this more if they had gone through deeper emotional exploration. It felt like too much focus was placed on one character, while others were not explored as fully as they could have been, despite there being clear potential.
This is especially noticeable in how certain major moments are handled. I expected a stronger focus on the emotional impact, particularly from the characters closest to those involved. Instead, the story moves on quite quickly. While I understand that the world itself does not seem to allow much time to process things, the characters who are less shaped by that environment would likely respond differently, and exploring that contrast would have added more emotional depth.
The latter chapters were also very fast paced, borderline too fast. The final portion of the book feels important for the rest of the trilogy, but because of the short chapters, some of that impact is slightly reduced. Therefore taking away some of the emotion.
Overall, I would still recommend this book, but there were a few points of personal preference that impacted my enjoyment slightly. Then again, I am quite picky.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Shuck a old English tale, given new life in this dark fantasy retelling.
First, thank you to the Author for letting me have the pleasure of reading this, their debut novella. Wow, what a debut it is.
The depth of character and description is beyond realism; it almost felt like I was there walking those muddy roads or crossing the marshes of ancient Britain at a time of superstition and lore.
Each of the characters became vivid, lifelike and real. Every new mention of them brought something visceral and tangible to their already well-formed and almost physical likeness in my mind, becoming more lovable or intolerable as they did.
The locations- the depth of detail made it seem like the author had been there, sketched them, and written down even the smallest of details in preparation for the story to unfold. down to even the smallest things, such as the smells or light or lack thereof, making them leap from the page, engaging me in a way that felt surreal and almost lifelike. (have tempted to visit the places and see if I can envision them as they were in the book)
Every being or person outside of the main cast still stood out, easy to see and feel their presence, even if you get that icky feeling about them.
The emotions of the book are fully engaged; you can feel the terror of sorrow, the happiness, and the laughter. I found myself speeding up with the tension, a rush of adrenaline, almost like I stood and fought at their side.
This book has reignited my passion for the darker side of fantasy, something that has dwindled in recent years, but now, thanks to this new independent author, I truly think I will be skipping a few of my TBR and grabbing another dark fantasy from the shelf.
Again, thank you for the pleasure of reading the book and the pleasure it brought to me as a reader.
First, thank you to the Author for letting me have the pleasure of reading this, their debut novella. Wow, what a debut it is.
The depth of character and description is beyond realism; it almost felt like I was there walking those muddy roads or crossing the marshes of ancient Britain at a time of superstition and lore.
Each of the characters became vivid, lifelike and real. Every new mention of them brought something visceral and tangible to their already well-formed and almost physical likeness in my mind, becoming more lovable or intolerable as they did.
The locations- the depth of detail made it seem like the author had been there, sketched them, and written down even the smallest of details in preparation for the story to unfold. down to even the smallest things, such as the smells or light or lack thereof, making them leap from the page, engaging me in a way that felt surreal and almost lifelike. (have tempted to visit the places and see if I can envision them as they were in the book)
Every being or person outside of the main cast still stood out, easy to see and feel their presence, even if you get that icky feeling about them.
The emotions of the book are fully engaged; you can feel the terror of sorrow, the happiness, and the laughter. I found myself speeding up with the tension, a rush of adrenaline, almost like I stood and fought at their side.
This book has reignited my passion for the darker side of fantasy, something that has dwindled in recent years, but now, thanks to this new independent author, I truly think I will be skipping a few of my TBR and grabbing another dark fantasy from the shelf.
Again, thank you for the pleasure of reading the book and the pleasure it brought to me as a reader.
April 8, 2026
Firstly, I want to clarify for any readers, this is not a negative review. I grade on a scale of 5 - stars for exceptional works, 4 stars for books I deeply love, and 3 stars for good to great books which I believe worth recommending. The last camp is where I find myself placing Black Shuck: 1577.
An enjoyable and competently told tale with strong characters and a gritty setting. It weaves folklore and our main characters' journeys into a dark, sometimes gruesome adventure.
I really connected with the four main leads, whose voices and strengths were all distinct and useful. They all were an integral part of the story, and you find yourself quite protective over them in a short amount of time. The story doesn't shy away from letting the characters make bad decisions, nor from punishing them for those choices, so that the events are always unfolding in ways you might not expect. I found myself constantly questioning how they were going to get themselves out of trouble next.
The setting is beautifully described and very ambiental, and will be an enjoyable read for anyone interested in this type of dark fantasy setting but with tangible historical context. The nods at the historical figures featured was especially exciting to see.
The book was definitely worth the read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in similar fantasy/folk tales with a touch of history and the occult. This isn't my usual genre, but I still found it enjoyable. A big thank you to P.M. Morgan for giving me the chance to read and review!
An enjoyable and competently told tale with strong characters and a gritty setting. It weaves folklore and our main characters' journeys into a dark, sometimes gruesome adventure.
I really connected with the four main leads, whose voices and strengths were all distinct and useful. They all were an integral part of the story, and you find yourself quite protective over them in a short amount of time. The story doesn't shy away from letting the characters make bad decisions, nor from punishing them for those choices, so that the events are always unfolding in ways you might not expect. I found myself constantly questioning how they were going to get themselves out of trouble next.
The setting is beautifully described and very ambiental, and will be an enjoyable read for anyone interested in this type of dark fantasy setting but with tangible historical context. The nods at the historical figures featured was especially exciting to see.
The book was definitely worth the read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in similar fantasy/folk tales with a touch of history and the occult. This isn't my usual genre, but I still found it enjoyable. A big thank you to P.M. Morgan for giving me the chance to read and review!
May 7, 2026
Black Shuck: 1577 is an absolute must-read. I just finished it, and honestly, I’m still checking the shadows for glowing red eyes. From the first page, Morgan transports you to a 1577 England that feels damp, dangerous, and desperately superstitious. The village of Bungay is rendered in such vivid, eerie detail that you can practically smell the woodsmoke and the copper tang of blood. It’s the perfect playground for the legendary Black Shuck. What really elevated this for me wasn’t just the monster—it was the trio of broken men hunting it: Abraham Fleming: A disgraced scholar whose intellectual desperation makes him both relatable and reckless. Edward Tanner: A cynical Crown spy who brings a sharp, grounded edge to the supernatural chaos. Samuel: A haunted soul from a secret order who provides the emotional (and mysterious) heart of the story. The chemistry between these three is electric. They aren't just fighting a beast; they are wrestling with their own past traumas, and Morgan weaves those personal stakes into the plot with surgical precision. What starts as a "monster of the week" investigation quickly spirals into a massive conspiracy involving fanatical cults and ancient powers. That final "desperate bargain" mentioned in the blurb? It’s a total gut-punch that shifts the stakes from a local haunting to a global threat.thank you to Beth from the wings and words book arc community for this opportunity to read this book and thank you to the author for this incredible story line
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Religion was a mask the guilty wore." - Absolutely loved this quote. Edward Tanner calling it how he sees it. Great guy.
P. M. Morgan has written a beautifully dark and atmospheric piece, and is a book that may be slow in the beginning but will grip you as it all starts coming together.
From the first chapter I actually loved Abraham, and Edward annoyed me. However as I read on, I began to enjoy both Edward and Samuel more and Abraham annoyed me, though not because of his personality. More about communication issues - without spoiling any events.
The depth given to each character, each with their own flaws, their own pasts and own ghosts weaved together for such a hauntingly beautiful plot. The attention to detail, both on environment, character development, historical accuracy intertwined with the occult and folk lore made for an interesting tale.
When I begun reading it, starting with Abraham being the first character we meet, it gave me young Sherlock Holmes vibes. This idea of something potentially supernatural happening behind the scenes, yet we still had to see it in order to believe it, created a compelling mystery.
All that being said, this isn't the usual kind of book that I read, and though I recognise the beauty and thought that went into it, I did struggle to find my own rhythm when reading. If you love a slow burn dark fantasy horror, with gothic themes, and a dance with the supernatural this could very well be the book for you.
P. M. Morgan has written a beautifully dark and atmospheric piece, and is a book that may be slow in the beginning but will grip you as it all starts coming together.
From the first chapter I actually loved Abraham, and Edward annoyed me. However as I read on, I began to enjoy both Edward and Samuel more and Abraham annoyed me, though not because of his personality. More about communication issues - without spoiling any events.
The depth given to each character, each with their own flaws, their own pasts and own ghosts weaved together for such a hauntingly beautiful plot. The attention to detail, both on environment, character development, historical accuracy intertwined with the occult and folk lore made for an interesting tale.
When I begun reading it, starting with Abraham being the first character we meet, it gave me young Sherlock Holmes vibes. This idea of something potentially supernatural happening behind the scenes, yet we still had to see it in order to believe it, created a compelling mystery.
All that being said, this isn't the usual kind of book that I read, and though I recognise the beauty and thought that went into it, I did struggle to find my own rhythm when reading. If you love a slow burn dark fantasy horror, with gothic themes, and a dance with the supernatural this could very well be the book for you.
May 4, 2026
Tudor England under Elizabeth I 's reign - perhaps Elizabethan technically? Either way the setting that P M Morgan weaves is phenomenal. You feel as though you are there through his use of descriptions without impacting the action of the thriller.
Samuel, Abraham, Edward and Briony are constructed in such a way that you can understand their motivations and the subtleties of their actions without the need for a first person perspective.
I love reading about cults - fictional and real and the mysteriousness of this one and the warring secret order and cult did not disappoint!
There is a moment where my heart broke - DAMN, you masterfully crafted so much feeling in just one word - "Mama". (IYKYK)
This book will take you on a rollercoaster, convincing you that something is the big bad, but hitting you with some other ominous darkness and flipping what you should fear most on its head. Morgan's horror descriptions are neither repetitive or clichéd. My only regret is that I had to read this in more sittings than I would have liked rather than hiding away from my child to fully immerse myself.
I look forward to the prequel and other works from P M Morgan.
Thank you to the Wings & Words community for bringing this beauty to my attention and Beth, for convincing me with the chapter reads to try something I wouldn't have usually picked for myself!
Samuel, Abraham, Edward and Briony are constructed in such a way that you can understand their motivations and the subtleties of their actions without the need for a first person perspective.
I love reading about cults - fictional and real and the mysteriousness of this one and the warring secret order and cult did not disappoint!
There is a moment where my heart broke - DAMN, you masterfully crafted so much feeling in just one word - "Mama". (IYKYK)
This book will take you on a rollercoaster, convincing you that something is the big bad, but hitting you with some other ominous darkness and flipping what you should fear most on its head. Morgan's horror descriptions are neither repetitive or clichéd. My only regret is that I had to read this in more sittings than I would have liked rather than hiding away from my child to fully immerse myself.
I look forward to the prequel and other works from P M Morgan.
Thank you to the Wings & Words community for bringing this beauty to my attention and Beth, for convincing me with the chapter reads to try something I wouldn't have usually picked for myself!
Review of advance copy received from Author
To start off, I’d like to thank P M Morgan for the chance to arc read Black Shuck 1577. I’ve very recently gotten into this genre and after seeing some TikToks about the book, I wanted to give it a read.
The book is set in 1577 and the end goal is to prove the existence of a mythological beast called, Black Shuck due to many brutal and what seems to be supernatural killings. This makes four individuals to collide lives when the legend of Black Shuck suddenly becomes real.
The first chapter just has you intrigued and wanting you to read on and see the journey through. Find out whether the legend is true or not. There are intense moments early on in the book that grip you straight away, especially if you had no idea about the legend in the first place… Like me…
The interpretation of locations were spot on and illustrated excellently to the point that you can picture every small detail in the story. PM was really good at making an eerie setting. All of the characters were also written really well and you knew their personalities straight away.
Before reading this book, I had no idea about the legend of Black Shuck and have since done more research into it. Readers that are into mythological tellings of old lore would thoroughly enjoy this book and I would recommend it.
The book is set in 1577 and the end goal is to prove the existence of a mythological beast called, Black Shuck due to many brutal and what seems to be supernatural killings. This makes four individuals to collide lives when the legend of Black Shuck suddenly becomes real.
The first chapter just has you intrigued and wanting you to read on and see the journey through. Find out whether the legend is true or not. There are intense moments early on in the book that grip you straight away, especially if you had no idea about the legend in the first place… Like me…
The interpretation of locations were spot on and illustrated excellently to the point that you can picture every small detail in the story. PM was really good at making an eerie setting. All of the characters were also written really well and you knew their personalities straight away.
Before reading this book, I had no idea about the legend of Black Shuck and have since done more research into it. Readers that are into mythological tellings of old lore would thoroughly enjoy this book and I would recommend it.
January 28, 2026
This book completely surprised me.. in the best way!
Historical/folklore/dark mystery fiction isn’t usually my go-to genre.. but the plot had me hooked from the start and wouldn’t let go. The foggy, creepy setting of 1577 England is pure atmosphere, and the legend of the Black Shuck is woven in so well that it honestly feels real (and very unsettling)
The characters are fantastic. Abraham, Edward, and Samuel make such a compelling trio, each carrying their own baggage and secrets, and their dynamic adds so much tension and heart to the story. I think my favourite character swapped with each chapter. Watching their paths collide as the mystery deepens was just as gripping as the supernatural elements themselves.
Special shout out to Briony; love a strong independent woman and boy was she one.💪🏼
also… #justiceforsamuel - IYKYK.
The plot keeps escalating in just the right pace to keep up whilst also keeping the tension and not being too intense.. brutal murders, secret orders and an ever-growing sense of dread. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, it managed to surprise me.. leading to a finale that’s dark, intense, and unforgettable.
Huge thanks to the author for sending me an ARC copy. This was an absolute treat to read early.
If you enjoy eerie folklore, historical settings, and stories that crawl under your skin and stay there, I can’t recommend this one enough.
The Black Shuck will be haunting my thoughts for a long time🐺 (book 2???👀)
Historical/folklore/dark mystery fiction isn’t usually my go-to genre.. but the plot had me hooked from the start and wouldn’t let go. The foggy, creepy setting of 1577 England is pure atmosphere, and the legend of the Black Shuck is woven in so well that it honestly feels real (and very unsettling)
The characters are fantastic. Abraham, Edward, and Samuel make such a compelling trio, each carrying their own baggage and secrets, and their dynamic adds so much tension and heart to the story. I think my favourite character swapped with each chapter. Watching their paths collide as the mystery deepens was just as gripping as the supernatural elements themselves.
Special shout out to Briony; love a strong independent woman and boy was she one.💪🏼
also… #justiceforsamuel - IYKYK.
The plot keeps escalating in just the right pace to keep up whilst also keeping the tension and not being too intense.. brutal murders, secret orders and an ever-growing sense of dread. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, it managed to surprise me.. leading to a finale that’s dark, intense, and unforgettable.
Huge thanks to the author for sending me an ARC copy. This was an absolute treat to read early.
If you enjoy eerie folklore, historical settings, and stories that crawl under your skin and stay there, I can’t recommend this one enough.
The Black Shuck will be haunting my thoughts for a long time🐺 (book 2???👀)
May 4, 2026
This isn’t my usual genre of book but after hearing the author talk about it I thought I’d give it a go as it sounded really interesting. After receiving it I was a little hesitant to dive in and start reading but once I started I couldn’t stop. It’s written in a way that makes you feel like you’re there with how descriptive it is, doing an amazing job at building a picture of the places including the weather throughout the story. Giving you a real sense at the atmosphere throughout, I thought it was perfectly paced whilst keeping track of all the characters. You’re left thinking throughout if the characters will finally been reunited and be able to save the world from a controlled beast, there’s a sense of mystery throughout about who is controlling the beast, and finding out not everyone can be trusted even given the past the characters may have shared with each other.
I’m so pleased I decided to give this book a go and I would 100% recommend others checking it out as I throughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read more from P.M. Morgan.
I’m so pleased I decided to give this book a go and I would 100% recommend others checking it out as I throughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read more from P.M. Morgan.
March 28, 2026
I knew nothing of the legend of the Black Shuck and didn't repair until the acknowledgement at the end that Abraham Fleming was a real historical figure. Dark historical fantasy is not something i would generally choose to read but I was drawn to this after hearing the author read an extract in a TikTok post and I was so impressed by the descriptive writing that I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed. The writing is so evocative, with such atmospheric small details that paint such a picture. The plot was interesting and moved with appropriate pace, but to be honest, that was secondary for me to the simple enjoyment of the quality of the writing itself, which repeatedly made me smile.
I was quite surprised when half way through the book, it felt like we were reaching a concluding climax, but then the story took further turns to deliver a part 2. This did feel slower and less engaging at first but picked up by the end to create a satisfying overall tale.
I was quite surprised when half way through the book, it felt like we were reaching a concluding climax, but then the story took further turns to deliver a part 2. This did feel slower and less engaging at first but picked up by the end to create a satisfying overall tale.
April 28, 2026
This isn't my usual genre, but I took a chance after discovering the author on TikTok. OMG this book blew me away. This is by far the best book I have read this year!
Purchased from him on TikTok and it came signed and the packaging and extras were a sign that the author is passionate about his book and followers.
The characters are well developed, flawed and relatable. They kept the story in motion and the pages turning. The author is skilled at drawing you into the atmospheric scenes with ease. Using all the senses to paint a vivid picture that you can submerge in. The final climax was epic!
If you like supernatural, cult, dark thriller, oh and a bad ass big dog with flames smoke and long fangs then I highly recommend you check out this book. Looking forward to the next book.
Purchased from him on TikTok and it came signed and the packaging and extras were a sign that the author is passionate about his book and followers.
The characters are well developed, flawed and relatable. They kept the story in motion and the pages turning. The author is skilled at drawing you into the atmospheric scenes with ease. Using all the senses to paint a vivid picture that you can submerge in. The final climax was epic!
If you like supernatural, cult, dark thriller, oh and a bad ass big dog with flames smoke and long fangs then I highly recommend you check out this book. Looking forward to the next book.
April 26, 2026
This wasn’t my typical read but I’m so glad I took the chance.
Black Shuck 1577 is a dark historical fantasy set in Elizabethan England. The imagery that the author delivers in this is phenomenal, it is detailed enough that you can almost smell the air and the narration has you feeling like you’re almost stood with the characters.
It’s well paced with plenty of twists and turns that leave you wanting to know more.
Special shout out for my boy Edward, what a guy.
Black Shuck 1577 is a dark historical fantasy set in Elizabethan England. The imagery that the author delivers in this is phenomenal, it is detailed enough that you can almost smell the air and the narration has you feeling like you’re almost stood with the characters.
It’s well paced with plenty of twists and turns that leave you wanting to know more.
Special shout out for my boy Edward, what a guy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was privileged to read this book before it is actually released. I must say that I really enjoyed this book and is an excellent first release from new author PM Morgan. I found the descriptive writing style captivating and I really felt like I was there. The characters were real and likeable. I look forward to the next instalment. Highly recommend 👌
April 26, 2026
amazing story from start to finish
March 22, 2026
High stakes, with lasting consequences, in a developing fantasy setting.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
The world building is enveloping, while the character’s are consistently engaging to follow.
The pacing of the book feels organic and has been easy to read. The different perspectives have worked wonderfully. It’s often something I find jarring in other books, but this one was done so that I knew where and what was going on all the time.
Thank you for a fantastic book to add to my shelf and I’m excited to see where it continues…
I really enjoyed reading this book.
The world building is enveloping, while the character’s are consistently engaging to follow.
The pacing of the book feels organic and has been easy to read. The different perspectives have worked wonderfully. It’s often something I find jarring in other books, but this one was done so that I knew where and what was going on all the time.
Thank you for a fantastic book to add to my shelf and I’m excited to see where it continues…
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